Antipodes Books & Beyond

Algae of Australia; batrachospermales, thoreales, oedogoniales and zygnemaceae.

Six specialists from Australia and New Zealand contribute to a reference text documenting five families, 14 genera and 210 species and infraspecific taxa of red and green freshwater algae. The text covers the vast majority of macroscopic freshwater algae likely to be encountered in Australia and features descriptions of the orders, families and genera, along with bibliographic lists, identification keys, and descriptions and distribution maps for each species. Illustrated throughout with b&w photographs and line drawings. Distributed in the U.S. by Antipodes Books and Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Algae of Australia; introduction.

At least 12,000 marine, freshwater, and terrestrial species of algae are thought to occur in Australia. In this introductory volume of a new series, contributors shed light on the history of research on Australian algae, their classification, the fossil record, systematic relationships, and their identification, ecology, biogeography, and economic significance. Color and b&w photos of algae and research facilities are included, along with keys to the identification of the orders of algae, and a glossary of 1,500 terms. The book is distributed in the US by Antipodes Books and Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Algae of Australia; nemaliales.

Seven international specialists contribute to a reference text documenting three families, 20 genera and 55 species of the Nemaliales, one of the most diverse and significant orders of red algae in Australian waters. Coverage includes an introduction to the history, structure, reproduction, and relationships of the order; advice on the microscopical examination of specimens; identification keys to families, genera and species; and descriptions and distribution maps of each taxon. The text also includes appendices describing the new genus Titanophycus and DNA sequence analyses of the evolutionary relationships of the order. Illustrated throughout with b&w photographs and line drawings, and 23 color plates. Distributed in the U.S. by Antipodes Books and Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Australian agriculture; its history and challenges.

Australian agriculture has been a "remarkable achievement," according to this history, producing enough food and natural fiber to meet the needs of several times it own population from one of the driest parts of the world. Focusing on the technological innovations adopted by the farmers themselves, the history describes the development of each of the major commodities or groups of commodities from the settlement of the first Europeans in 1788 to the end of the 20th century. Chapters are offered on grain crops, sheep and wool, beef and dairy products, working bullocks and horses, sugar cane, cotton, fruit and vegetables, and grapes and wine. Distributed in the US by Antipodes Books and Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Australian backyard astronomy.

This children's book describes the planets in our solar system, the main star constellations as seen from the southern hemisphere, and Aboriginal stories about them. Some of the color photographs are quite impressive, and the activities will hold bright children's attention for hours. Distributed in the U.S. by Antipodes Books & Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Australian soil fertility manual, 3d ed.

Updated to include new information about the effects of fertilizers and other chemicals on the environment and appropriate management strategies, along with new information on the use of lime, dolomite and gypsum, this comprehensive guide continues to be a primary source for understanding the safe use and handling of fertilizers. It covers soil fertility and productivity, soil acidity and alkalinity, salinity, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, micro-nutrients, soil testing, plant and water analysis, diagnostic techniques, fertilizing for profits, plant nutrients and the environment, heavy metals I soils and fertilizers, precision agriculture and regulations for handling and using fertilizers. Although written specifically for Australian agriculture, basic content can be informative for those farming elsewhere. Distributed in the US by Antipodes Books & Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Australia's water resources; from use to management.

This work examines Australia's water management policies and strategies, looking at water pricing, administrative restructuring in water management, water markets and trade, integrated water resources management, and the emergence of the private sector. Rural and urban water needs are addressed, and several chapters discuss solutions for water consumption in industry, mining, energy generation, and agriculture, as well as outdoor recreation and tourism. Author information is not given. The book is distributed in the US by Antipodes Books and Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The complete field guide to dragonflies of Australia.

A veteran in the study of aquatic insects, Theischinger (Australian Museum) and Hawking, an invertebrate ecologist at the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, present a highly illustrated guide to species of Zygoptera (Damselflies) and Epiproctophora/Anisoptera (Dragonflies proper) that are found in Australia. They include an illustrated glossary, keys for identifying adults and larvae, a checklist of species, and a guide to studying dragonflies. Distributed in the US by Antipodes Books and Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Echidna; extraordinary egg-laying mammal.

They have been scooting and waddling on the earth for over 100 million years and in the right light they can be considered handsome, in a prehistoric throwback living fossil sort of way. They have distinctive features, such as a mouth at the very end of a long snout and luxuriant but spiny fur coats. They may be short-beaked or long-beaked and are denizens of Australia and New Guinea, but they have a long-extinct South American forebear. Those fur coats and their ability to produce milk would make them mammals, but they also lay eggs, making them officially monotremes, a distinction they share only with the platypus. Augee (formerly biology, U. of New South Wales) and his fellow echidna enthusiast co-author and illustrator use the most recent research to fully describe this delightful and unique creature. Distributed in the US by Antipodes Books and Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Ecohydrology; vegetation function, water and resource management.

Water management is a far-reaching study unto itself, but add in the relationship it has with plants and the complexity increases logarithmically. Working on behalf of sustainable water management in Australia but keeping in mind the needs of other complicated landscapes, the authors describe the interactions amongst the woody components of vegetation, rainfall and changes in groundwater availability. They describe the delicate balance in Australia between water and vegetation resources, water relations of plants, basics of hydrology, techniques in ecohydrology, hydrological models, groundwater-dependent ecosystems in Australia, policy and guidelines for managing water in relation to ecological health in Australia, and by way of comparison, integrated water resource management in South Africa. Distributed in the US by Antipodes Books and Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Fungi of Australia; septoria.

Priest's (Orange Agricultural Institute, New South Wales) resource text provides the first overview of the Australian taxa of the anamorphic fungal genus Septoria, one of the largest genera of plant pathogens, which infects hosts in 54 families of flowering plants in Australia. The text documents 132 species of Septoria, its teleomorph Mycosphaerella and six related genera. Following an introduction to Septoria and its allies, the text contains detailed descriptions and line drawings of each taxon. Includes an index of fungi and an index of hosts. Distributed in the U.S. by Antipodes Books and Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

A guide to Australian moths.

Illustrated throughout with some 400 color photographs, Zborowski (biological and chemical sciences, U. of Queensland, Australia) and Edwards' (CSIRO Entomology) guide introduces general readers to a sampling of the estimated 20,000 to 30,000 species of moths found in Australia. The authors explain what a moth is and how moths differ from butterflies, the environmental role of moths, their relationships with other animals and plants, and their importance to humans. The bulk of the text is devoted to identifying the moth families, and provides information on 69 of the 85 families of moths in Australia. Distributed in the U.S. by antipodes Books and Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Producing table olives.

Once strictly Mediterranean, with some notable exceptions, the olive has now become important to global producers and consumers, with Australia serving as prime new territory for both. Kailis (plant biology, U. of Western Australia) and government research chemist Harris start by describe the very suitable olive tree Olea europaea, its components and annual events in detail, and describe how to produce high-quality raw olives through careful management of water, soil and nutrients. They give step-by-step instructions for processing table olives, including for specialty products such as pastes and tapenade, and give comprehensive directions for ensuring safety, including conducting chemical quality analysis. Landlinks Press is an imprint of CSIRO publishing, which is distributed in the US by Antipodes Books & Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Running a small flock of sheep, 2d ed.

This handbook provides information needed for successfully managing a small flock of sheep for prime lamb, wool, or dual purposes. Written especially for small-scale sheep farmers or those considering a sheep farm for the first time, the book outlines breeds, tools, and procedures using a step-by-step approach, illustrated with b&w photos. This second edition includes a new chapter on sheep breeds and diseases, two glossaries, and a list of web sites. The author's affiliation is not stated. Landlinks Press is an imprint of CSIRO Publishing, which is distributed in the US by Antipodes Books & Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Shorebirds of Australia.

Following in the example of 1987's Shorebirds in Australia, produced by the Australasian Waders Study Group, the editors of this work (of the Queensland Wader Study Group, Australia) present recent research on the biology and conservation of the shorebirds of Australia. The volume provides more detailed coverage of these topics than its predecessor, but less information on distribution and migration. It discusses basic aspects of taxonomy, migration, breeding, and feeding; topography and plumages; and biological descriptions of each shorebird species. The volume is illustrated with color photographs as an aid for identification. Distributed in the US by Antipodes Books and Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Supplementary feeding of sheep and beef cattle, 2d ed.

This practical guide is designed for graziers to use in their day-to- day decision-making about livestock nutritional needs, feeding options, and health. Key topics covered will be particularly useful in drought situations, but also in seasonal pasture shortages, when the nutrient value of pastures is low. B&w photos and worksheets are included. Author information is not given. Landlinks Press is an imprint of CSIRO Publishing, which is distributed in the US by Antipodes Books & Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Wedge-tailed eagle.

Olsen (editor of the Birds Australia magazine, Wingspan) summarizes the current knowledge of Australia's largest true eagle, the Wedge-tailed Eagle. She covers distribution, habitat, hunting, relationships, reproduction, chick development, and conservation. She also offers brief discussions of changing perceptions of the bird from aboriginal times to the present. The volume is illustrated with black-and-white line drawings and color photographs. Distributed in the US by Antipodes Books and Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Zoological catalogue of Australia, v.35: Fishes; 3v.

Providing an authoritative and exhaustive reference, the three volumes catalog the fishes of Australia, with entries for each genus containing a drawing, description, and list of references, followed by sub-entries for each subgenus containing brief entries that include bibliographic citations, distribution, ecology, and data on the museums containing examples. An introduction describes the Australian Biological Resources Study responsible for the catalog, the history of study of fishes in Australia, and, broadly, the characteristics of fishes there. Volume Three contains both common name and taxonomic indexes. Distributed in the US by Antipodes Books and Beyond. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)